According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for recreational books are 6.95% lower in 2026 versus 2011 (a $1.39 difference in value).
Between 2011 and 2026, Recreational books experienced an average inflation rate of -0.48% per year. In other words, recreational books costing $20 in the year 2011 would cost $18.61 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.63% during this same period, inflation for recreational books was significantly lower.
In the year 2011: Pricing changed by -2.35%, which is below the average yearly change for recreational books during the 2011-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2011 (3.16%), inflation for recreational books was much lower.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Recreational books, over time, for $20 beginning in 2011. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $20.00 | -2.35% |
| 2012 | $19.61 | -1.94% |
| 2013 | $19.56 | -0.27% |
| 2014 | $19.38 | -0.94% |
| 2015 | $19.47 | 0.50% |
| 2016 | $19.14 | -1.73% |
| 2017 | $18.56 | -3.02% |
| 2018 | $18.61 | 0.26% |
| 2019 | $18.49 | -0.65% |
| 2020 | $19.00 | 2.77% |
| 2021 | $19.05 | 0.26% |
| 2022 | $19.18 | 0.69% |
| 2023 | $19.13 | -0.27% |
| 2024 | $19.07 | -0.30% |
| 2025 | $19.21 | 0.71% |
| 2026 | $18.61 | -3.10%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Recreational books:
| Year | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 102.417 | 100.892 | 100.742 | 101.908 | 104.958 | 104.125 | 104.333 | 103.917 | 103.258 | 104.120 | 105.886 | 106.885 | 105.781 | 103.290 | 101.287 | 101.010 | 100.063 | 100.560 | 98.825 | 95.841 | 96.094 | 95.474 | 98.116 | 98.372 | 99.049 | 98.785 | 98.486 | 99.188 | 96.112 |